Tuesday, evening

     Despite the whole ordeal on Monday with Jenna's ex, Frey refrained from staying home out of fear for walking into the guy again. After Jenna had explained who the guy was—he was called Robby—and what had happened with them, Frey had called her father because he felt as if Jenna was too shaken to go home by bike herself. She couldn't stop crying once she was halfway through her story and Frey didn't want to leave her on her own.

Ever since she told him her ex still stalked her, he got worried, and he hated not knowing where she was or what she was doing.

What if Robby would try to hurt her again and he wasn't there to protect her? What if she was all by herself and there was nobody to help her?

What was Robby capable of?

Frey had tried to ask Daniel about Robby, since he was best friends with Jenna, but Daniel wouldn't talk about it. He had bitterly told Frey to ask Jenna herself.

Even though he wanted to know why Daniel would walk away whenever Frey brought up Robby, he had pushed the thoughts aside. He had other things to worry about; like asking Daniel to keep him company that very same evening, while Arun would have his date with his Sparkl match Nina.

Daniel had agreed but told him he had to work until eight thirty that night, and couldn't leave work early.

It didn't really matter, since Arun and Nina would meet at nine.

Frey had also pulled Arun apart during lunch, since he still had to explain why he was taking Daniel, and not Jenna.

Arun had thought it was a joke at first, but when Frey remained serious, he had stopped laughing, and told him he didn't care whether Frey wanted to date a boy or a girl. He had also wondered aloud why Frey was dating two people at once, and out of all boys, he was dating Daniel.

But Arun was still the tolerant, accepting friend and he listened to Frey's explanation without judging him for it.

Arun was just proud that Frey was taking things a little more serious than he did before, even if he was dating Jenna and Daniel in the same time.

It still was better than Frey sleeping with another random girl every week.

Which was how Frey found himself in a pool centre—suggested by Nina—with Daniel by his side, on a Tuesday evening.

Arun and Nina both seemed to feel awkward and uncomfortable, while Frey was keeping an eye on them from the other side of the room. Nina had no idea they knew Arun, and that they were there in case she bailed, since they had entered before Arun and Nina did.

"If you keep watching them like you do, I'm sure she will catch on to the fact you know Arun." Daniel nudged him, and then pointed towards their own pool table, silently hinting that it was Frey's turn.

"I know, I'm just... worried." Frey mumbled, using his cue to hit the white ball, trying to pocket another. He failed—Frey wasn't that good at pool.

Luckily, Daniel wasn't either.

"Why?"

"They're still seated at the bar, Danny." Frey stood up straight, and quickly shot a look towards Arun.

Both him and Nina were sipping from their drinks, Arun every so often saying something. Nina replied mostly with shrugs, nods or a shake of the head. Frey wondered if she had even spoken a word after entering the pool centre.

"Yeah..." Daniel looked in their direction with a frown. "I don't think they're really hitting it off."

"Which is stupid because he's been talking to her for a while via Sparkl and they had endless conversations." Frey grumbled, watching Daniel aim the white ball to try and pocket the yellow one. "If she dislikes him, she dislikes him purely based on looks. They had enough in common, otherwise Arun wouldn't even agree on a date. He takes it too seriously to meet a girl he shares no interests with. He's one of those guys who thinks looks aren't important."

"I should agree with him, but I think physical attraction is just one of those things that can make or break things. I'm great friends with Adam. But I could never do the things I did with you, with him." Daniel grins, wiggling his eyebrows.

Frey smirked, but he still felt his face flush at the memory of having sex with Daniel. He had a hard time trying not to think about it too much.

But it sure beat the thoughts about being bipolar and thinking about starting up medication and therapy.

Which was the other thought that clouded his mind since he heard the diagnose yesterday.

"You know I fully agree that physical attraction is a key-factor in a relationship." Frey eventually replied to Daniel. He got a chuckle and a nod in return, before Daniel stepped closer, pushed his chin up a bit, en pecked a kiss onto his lips. Frey smiled widely because of the simple gesture.

"Be honest, is us dating a purely physical thing to you?" Daniel asked him while he was still holding onto Frey's chin.

"No." Frey replied simply and completely honest. "We had this click... you know..." He couldn't really explain what it was. He knew Daniel for a while now, but he never really realised they had a lot in common. But they did, and he never had trouble to keep a conversation going with Daniel.

It just worked between them.

"On Sparkl." Daniel chuckled and nodded. "I still need to read that book you recommended."

"You said you started it!"

"That was a lie. I have no money to go and get it. Rent or buy, I can't."

"You can take my copy." Frey cocked his head and smiled. "I'll take it to school tomorrow... oh wait. It's at my mom's house..."

"Don't worry, I'll ask Jen... Oh, never mind." Daniel rolled his eyes and turned away with a swift movement. "I'll wait until you worked up the guts to go over to your mom's home."

"What's wrong between you and Jenna? Is it me?" Frey asked him while he grabbed his wrist to make him turn back to him. "I feel as if you guys are fighting."

"It's nothing, Frey." Daniel smiled, and leaned in for another peck on the lips. "Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. We've had endless amount of fights, and you're not the first guy we both like."

"I'm not?"

Daniel shook his head and shrugged. "That's a story for another time. This is our semi-date."

"Right." Frey agreed they shouldn't talk about these things while finally being able to spend time together without having to work or be in school.

That was, until Arun showed up about a minute later. He looked sad, as if tired with life—a look Frey knew all to well from all the times he looked in the mirror and found himself looking like that.

"What happened?"

"She finished her drink and told me we were better of as friends."

"And then she left?" Frey grumbled as he checked out their surroundings, not finding Nina anywhere close-by.

"Yeah..." Arun sighed. "I told you she wouldn't like me."

"Well, it's her loss, Arun." Frey felt at least a little annoyed, and he had to stop himself from running outside to confront Nina about it. He didn't, though. He handed Arun a cue, gestured towards the pool table and smiled. "Show us how to play this game, because we both can't."

"I don't know, Frey. I think I just want to go home." Arun mumbled, slumping down on a chair. "You guys can have your date without me sulking in a corner."

"What? No!" Frey nudged him with the cue. "We're here for this exact reason, aren't we? Let's just call a bunch of friends and have a fun night. You'll forget about that bitch in no time."

"I agree." Daniel stood next to him. "Let's call friends, you delete that girl on Sparkl after sending her a text to fuck off for being ignorant and superficial, and let's have fun."

"Don't you guys want to spend some time alone?"

"We can go on a real date whenever we want." Frey shrugged. "I'm calling the gang, we're going to have fun."

     Most of their friends had showed up—much to Frey's surprise. He hadn't expected Daniel's friends to care about Arun, or having to cheer him up, but still; Adam, Jordy, Michelle and even Lacy did show up, all within twenty minutes after Daniel had sent a text to them all individually, not wanting to invite Jenna, admitting they were indeed fighting.

Of course, Arun's and Frey's friends, James, Hendrik and Wes had showed up too. They were just like Arun, kind and caring, and aware of the fact Arun could use his friends to cheer him up.

They'd taken over three pool tables aside each other, and most of them were playing. Jordy, Wes and Lacy were decent players, Arun kicked ass, and Frey was mostly silently watching the group having fun.

They had teamed up in pairs of two, and Daniel was his partner. Wes and James played together, Adam teamed up with Lacy, Jordy and Hendrik had agreed to be a team, which left Arun and Michelle. Which was mostly because Michelle was the worst player of them all, and everybody thought it would only be fair if Arun—as the best player—would be in her team.

Arun was currently showing her how to hold the cue, and how to hit the white ball. He was a great teacher, since Michelle started pocketing some balls shortly after his instructions.

Lacy kept sending Frey annoyed glares, and Frey was trying his best to ignore her. But he really couldn't stand her since she always stuck her nose into his business, even now that he was trying to do the right thing and actually date people. Even if said people happened to be her best friends.

"Hey." Daniel nudged him, waking him up from his stupor while he was observing the others. "We're up for a game against Michelle and Arun. Ready to lose?"

Frey chuckled and nodded, following him to the table.

"By the way, I think it's awesome that you're doing this for Arun." Daniel told him before they reached the pool table for the last game of the evening. "You're a great friend to him. I like that side of you."

"Haven't I showed my decent side more often lately?" Frey acted as if he was insulted that Daniel was surprised about his behaviour towards Arun. "He's my best friend, of course I'll do everything to cheer him up."

"Well, not everyone thinks you have that kind side to you. Most people assume Arun is just your friend because he gets more attention from girls because of it. Even though said girls don't want to date him."

"Arun really deserves a girl that is caring and can see past the fact he's a shorty."

"Right." Daniel nodded, but didn't really reply anymore, since they were now close to Arun, who was giving Michelle a couple more instructions before she started the game up.

"May the best team win." Arun and Frey shook hands and smirked at each other.

"Thanks, Frey..." He said, while they both watched Michelle pocket one ball at the start. "I'm having fun."

"Good, that's why I'm here, right?" Frey nudged him. "Because you're my best friend and you needed me."

"Still, I know acting cheerful can be difficult for you sometimes."

"Even if I would feel shitty, which I do not, I would still be there for you, Arun."

"Likewise, Frey."

Words: +/- 1977

QOTC: To all those of you who do not vote or comment, I would like to know what would make you comment/vote? 

Seriously, my lovely (silent) readers, comment & vote! (Just push that star button)

>>> It would make me extremely happy ^^ <<<

Love, June